The old hotel was pretty much the same. I was sure that none of the same tenants lived there, not after the story that started to spread about the curse haunting the place.

John McBain had been shot back in 2010 in the line of duty, died at the scene. I had heard over the ticker, followed the story through the newspapers in adjacent towns. Turned out to be a punk who was playing tough guy, wielding a gun.

The year after that, the 'curse' moved down the hall a bit. Ron Walsh was put into a coma for about a month after falling from the roof of a construction site. He went on to make a full recovery, but did move out of the hotel.

Michael McBain, who took on his own suite in the hotel during his engagement, got caught in a hospital fire in, I think it was '12 or '13, about two months after he got married.

I think that's when people stopped staying at the hotel long term. I'm not really one for superstitions though and I never really did believe in curses, so I decided to check in. I stepped up to the desk, greeted by Morris, who had been sitting in the same spot since the place opened. I gave the bell two quick dings and then stepped back.

"Whatcha need?" I smiled at the familiar voice as I looked up at the blonde standing at the desk.

"A room..." I said. "I'm not sure how long I'll be staying."

She looked at me, head tilted in a semi deep thought. "You from around here? You look similar."

I laughed inwardly. "You don't remember me, do you, Roxy?" She looked closer. "The summer of '04... the Love Crew?.."

"My boys?" she smiled. "Mark?" I nodded. "Whatcha doin back in Llanview? I thought ya went on to bigger'n better stuff."

"Not too much bigger and I'm really not sure how much better but... I'm paying the bills. I'm getting by."

"Ya travelin alone?" I nodded again. "Ya heard anything bout your roomies from way back?"

I took a deep breath. Oh the stories I had head. "I saw Riley's back in Llanview."

"Teaches kiddies how to be all musical. He was gone for... about a year I think before he came back. He lives across the hall from me in Ronnie's old room. Figured Ronnie wouldn't be moving back in since he went back to Jersey. Ya heard about his fall?"

"Through the grapevine." I said. "I also heard that Shannon and Rex are together?"

"My baby moved back to AC." she practically beamed. "I never thought Rex'd settle down. I don't think he's gonna marry'er soon but he's happy. Marcie's got babies."

I smiled. "I've read all her books. A husband and three kids."

"She married that lawyer with the funny name." Roxy smiled. "Hugh Hughes." She giggled. "Made me God Mama of Danny boy. He's six. Lemme see... then Sammy, he's five and Mel.. she's two. Ya looked surprised."

"It's just that... well I thought that Marcie would end up with Michael."

"Both of'em are happy." Roxy said. "They both got hitched. Marcie about... eight years ago. Nine maybe. Mikey... a little less than two years ago, after Johnny died." I nodded sadly. "Left Nattie with a bun in the oven. Four months. 'Magine, that little girl is four years old now."

"Congratulations," I said, smiling.

"Thanks." Roxy was still beaming. I had seen her happy before but this was more than happy. This was ecstatic. "Now... what brings you back here?"

I bit my bottom lip. "Nick called me," I told her. I felt strange saying it. I think everybody had always seen how I felt about Nick. Even though I had never said anything, my feelings were plain. To everyone but Nick.

"Nicky's in a world of trouble," Roxy said. "Police're saying that he killed Julie."

"I know..." I sighed. I still hadn't let the notion settle in my brain. Nick was no murderer. I knew that. "Nick would have never hurt Julie. I know that."

"I know that too, Marky," Roxy leaned forward against the desk. "But there ain't nothing we can do about it. I mean... Marcie even tried to convince her hubby not to prostitute him."

I drew my eyebrows closer attempting to decipher the Roxy speak. "Prosecute?" I said.

"Yeah. He is the DA, ya know."

I swallowed. I dare not ask what had happened to Nora's position. Truth was, that hearing about the DA, whoever he was, still sent chills down my spine. It always got me thinking of Daniel and in some strange way, of a love I desperately didn't want to feel for him, even after all these years. I had managed to rid my life of everything Daniel Colson and I wasn't about to rehash old memories.

"So... Marcie's married to the DA," I said in awkward realization.

"Which is kinda funny," Roxy giggled, "Cuz get this... her and Mikey are still really close and all, and their better halves are on different sides." I looked at her confused. "I guess you haven't heard the whole story." Roxy was getting me the key to my room. "Michael McHot Stuff married Evangeline." I was in shock as the phone rang. She pushed over the key. "215, Marky. Gotta get this."

I stepped back with the key in my hand. Had I really missed that much? Ten years was a long time. It was practically a lifetime. I suddenly felt very wrong being back in Llanview, like a stranger in the town, wondering if it was even possible now for me to be home again.